PUNE: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) health officials, on Tuesday, said that since January 2017, a total of 108 deaths were recorded due to H1N1 in Pune city, whereas the toll has been 53 in Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) limits.
A recent swine flu death audit committee was set up at the PMC health department to examine the rising deaths due to swine flu. Speaking to Sakal Times, Dr Anjali Sabne, Assistant Health Officer at PMC health department, said that the total swine flu deaths have been 111, however, three deaths have been due to other major illnesses.
"Three deaths out of 111 have been identified due to other major illnesses, which makes the total number of deaths in the city as 108 since January 2017. We have now made the vaccines available at 11 PMC-run hospitals across the city," said Sabne.
She further added that the death audit committee was set up to address the growing panic regarding the virus. "High-risk patients who have low immunity are more susceptible to being swine flu positive. The death audit committee is headed by experts to discuss the medical history of the patients," noted Sabne.
Speaking to Sakal Times, a highly placed doctor with the health department said that the ideal season for the swine flu virus to survive in is after monsoon and in the winter season. "However, now we can see various cases being diagnosed all round the year, which indicates that the virus is no more season specific. The only way to stay ready for this is to get vaccinated and improve immunity," said the doctor.
SWINE FLU STATS
- Swine flu vaccines are now available in 11 PMC hospitals across the city.
- As on Tuesday, more than 9 lakh patients have been tested for swine flu in Pimpri-Chinchwad and 8,283 were administered with Tamiflu tablets. 388 tested positive for H1N1, of these, 53 have lost their lives and 66 are on ventilators.
- In Pune Municipal Corporation limits, more than 6 lakh patients were screened for swine flu and 19,128 were administered with Tamiflu tablets. 655 tested positive, of which 108 lost their lives and 29 are on ventilators.
